DESIGN FOR LIVING LCDQ Design fest on La Cienega brings fashion to home design

By Suzan Filipek

A design extravaganza, Legends 2023, returns to the La Cienega Design Quarter (LCDQ) Tues., May 9, to Thurs., May 11.

The event’s 13th year is a nod to fashion royalty and features its crown jewel: the transformation of shops and showroom windows by superstar designers.

Inspired by this year’s theme, Fashion of Home, Sarah Jessica Parker’s designer will partially recreate the actress’s dressing room at Mecox, one of some 45 shops and showrooms in the LCDQ.

This year’s Living Legend awardees — interior designers San Francisco-based Ken Fulk and New York City-based Alexa Hampton — will be honored at the opening party at Catch Steak. Fulk will sign copies of his new book, “The Movie in My Mind,” May 10 at the Rug Company.

Past honorees include the late Suzanne Rheinstein of Windsor Square, who was named a Living Legend in 2019.

Two days of programming include eight keynote panels, cocktail parties and book signings. The opening keynote, “Chic Is Chic! The Powerful Pull Between Interiors and Fashion,” is by Galerie magazine’s managing editor. Design Dating Game features House Beautiful’s senior style director, followed by mariachis and a taco truck, and Uncommon Kitchens is among many topics explored at events at various showrooms. A closing disco party

LEGENDS a new showroom.

The LCDQ is one square mile of showrooms and shops around the intersection of La Cienega Boulevard and Melrose Place and Avenue. The design quarter has extended its boundary on Melrose to include a design-rich block of showrooms west of San Vicente Boulevard for Legends 2023. Part of the event’s proceeds will support Habitat for Humanity Los Angeles.

To register and for more information, visit lcdqla.com/ legends-2023.

Virginia Robinson Gardens is ‘Back in Bloom’

By Suzan Filipek

After a three-year hiatus and a yearslong drought, the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) Tour and Showcase House promises a colorful and splendid return.

Four private gardens nourished by months of rain will make for verdant showpieces in the romantically themed “Back in Bloom,” on Sat., May 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The romantic theme… celebrates a new beginning and the return to VRG’s beloved Garden Tour after a threeyear hiatus,” co-chair Betty Goldstein writes on the Gardens website.

“This is our premier fundraiser where funds are raised for the restoration needs of the estate and the Children’s Science program which has served more than 5,000 children throughout the pandemic years, keeping Mrs. Robinson’s legacy for the welfare of children alive,” Goldstein added.

The 34th annual event in Beverly Hills also takes visitors on an exclusive “behind-thehedge” look at the lush gardens and the estate built in 1911 for Virginia and Harry Robinson of the Robinson de-